It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well as the title would suggest, at least it is in my house. Most people think I am crazy to have put up my tree this early. So what, I am crzy, but you know I just love to sit there in the still of the night after everyone else has gone to bed and just stare at the lights on the tree as they sparkle and the ornaments dance on the tree from the light breeze of the ceiling fan above. This is sheer peace at its best, well at least for this mom of four! A half hour of peace and quiet around here is golden.
My three year old son is so excited this year about Christmas. Just yesterday while we were eating dinner, he proclaimed "mommy Christmas needs presents", I said "yes it does", then he said "Christmas needs toys, lots of toys!" I then commented with a slight giggle, "Oh it does, does it", and he said "yes". Amazing how they figure this gift thing out so quickly. But it's heartwarming to see the wonder in his eye, how excited he gets about seeing the lights and the decorations. I wonder how he will react when he sees Santa Claus this year? Probably will run and scream I'm sure. My daughter on the other hand, this will be her second Christmas, she was just about 3 wks old last year and not an active participant. The older boys, well what can I say, they just want stuff. This year things will be a little more conservative then they have been in the past. That means some well thought out gift giving. My husband and I have told the boys not to expect a lot this year. I would really like for them to be able to go to the mission and help in the kitchen and see how good they have it. Maybe seeing others who are far less fortunate then themselves will teach them a thing or two about compasion and doing for others.
As far as me, all I want is a healthy and happy family. As I have gotten older, I have realized that presents don't matter as much as just being with your family and sharing the memories. Because when I have long left this earth, that will be all there is left to me.